Q. C. Marine Surveyors
Important Links
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Standards
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TP 1332 E - Transport Canada Construction Standards for Small Vessels (2010)
https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/migrated/tp1332e.pdf
​TP1332 frequently refers to and is in the process of being harmonized with ABYC Standards, (The American Boat and Yacht Council)
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ABYC - American Boat and Yacht Council
The American Boat & Yacht Council, ABYC, was created in 1954 as a non-profit organization to develop safety standards for the design, construction, equipage, repair and maintenance of boats. The mission of ABYC is to improve boating safety and reduce the number of injuries and fatalities. Membership is recommended and rewarded.
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TP 511 E - Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide (2011)
www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/marinesafety/TP-511e.pdf
By clicking on the above link, you will be taken to the SAFE BOATING GUIDE published by Transport Canada. Once at the site, simply click on the information section desired. It is a wealth of knowledge, and surely a must for all boaters, previously available in print but now available only online. The guide covers many boating topics from basic construction standards, buying a boat, licensing, operator cards, safety items to check prior to leaving the dock, emergency situations and communications, equipment required from various sized of vessels and the penalties for not having required equipment.
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NFPA - National Fire Protection Association
The world's leading advocate of fire prevention and an authoritative source on public safety, NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.
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NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code
www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?mode=code&code=70
Adopted in all 50 US States, the NEC is the benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards
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CSA Group
CSA Group is dedicated to promoting a better, safer, more sustainable world where standards work for people and business. CSA Group is a total solutions global provider of North American marks and can help you access the international marks you need to sell your product around the world. You can display CSA North American marks on your products with confidence, knowing that CSA marks are widely accepted and recognized by many government and code officials, regulatory and regulation bodies like the SCC and OSHA, leading
retailers and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ).
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Vessel Licensing and Registration​
Licensing
https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/licensing-pleasure-craft
If your boat is mostly operated or kept in Canada and is powered by one or more motors adding up to 7.5 kW (10 hp) or more, it must be licensed, unless it is registered. You will also need to license dinghies or tenders you carry aboard or tow behind a larger boat if they too are powered by one or more motors adding up to 7.5 kW (10 hp) or more. powered by one or more motors adding up to 7.5 kW (10 hp) or more.
Registration
Although you are no longer required to register pleasure craft over 15 gross tons, you can still choose to do so. Although there are costs involved, registration gives you some important benefits, which include: - Proof of Ownership (legal title) for your boat - The right to fly the Canadian flag - A unique name and official number for your boat - The right to use your boat as security for a marine mortgage - Note that Proof of Ownership can be very important at international borders, it is a good idea to register any boat you plan to operate outside of Canada. Keep a copy of the License or Registration Documents on board the Vessel at all times.
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Accreditation​
As marine surveyors we are often asked if we are licensed and/or accredited. To be clear, unlike many trades, to be active in the field of Marine Surveying there are no requirements in Canada or the U.S.A. for an individual to be licensed or accredited. Neither the U.S.C.G. nor Transport Canada approve or certify marine surveyors. All association terms and initials that some Surveyors carry represent accreditation and/or certification by Private Membership Organizations to whom the Surveyor must pay to belong to and pay to be accredited by. We have listed a number of private membership certification/accreditation organizations in Canada and the United States here for your reference. Each of these has their own membership fee structure, code of ethics, membership qualifications and education requirements. Q. C. Marine Surveyors adhere to the Codes of Ethics of all of these private entities but do not pass the cost of membership for these organization's on to our Clients. The essence of any Marine Survey is that it must be accepted by your Insurance Company. All Q. C. Marine Surveys have been accepted by the various Insurance Companies and by Canadian and US by Customs.
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SAMS - Society of American Marine Surveyors Inc.
The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) was established during the 1980's by a small group of surveying professionals wishing to advance their craft.
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NAMS - National Association of Marine Surveyors Inc.
The National Association of Marine Surveyors, established in 1962, is a professional organization that certifies marine surveyors and provides continuing education opportunities.
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CACMS - Canadian Association of Certified Marine Surveyors
To provide an association for the purpose of certification and accreditation to which qualified Marine Surveyors can belong.
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ACMS - Association of Certified Marine Surveyors, Inc.
The Association of Certified Marine Surveyors is organization that offers its members the ability to remain up to date with technological changes through their information exchange and online study material.
Charting and Navigation
Chart # 1
www.charts.gc.ca/publications/chart1-carte1/index-eng.asp
Chart 1 is a publication containing explanations of the symbols, terms and abbreviations needed to interpret nautical charts published by the Canadian Hydrographic Service. Member nations of the International Hydrographic Organization produce Chart 1 using a common format. That common format consists of sections identified by letters and symbols, abbreviations or terms identified by a reference number. All Chart 1s organize these sections and symbols, abbreviations, or terms in the exact same order.
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COLREG - CRC, c1416
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/C.R.C.,_c._1416.pdf
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
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Electrical Safety
Preventing Electric Shock Drowning
Preventing ESD - Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association
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Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) is the result of the passage of a typically low level AC current through the body with sufficient force to cause skeletal muscular paralysis, rendering the victim unable to help himself / herself, while immersed in fresh water, eventually resulting in drowning of the victim. Higher levels of AC current in the water will also result in electrocution. Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) has become the catch all phrase that encompasses all in-water shock casualties and fatalities.
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Although Electric Shock Drowning can occur virtually in any location where electricity is provided near water, the majority of Electric Shock Drowning deaths have occurred in public and private marinas and docks. The typical victim of Electric Shock Drowning is a child swimming in or around a marina or dock where electricity is present. The electricity that enters the water and causes Electric Shock Drowning originates from the wiring of the dock or marina, or from boats that are connected to the marina’s or dock’s power supply.
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Would you consider stepping into a bathtub or swimming pool with a hair dryer? Think of the boat as the hairdryer. If an electric fault occurs on a boat while it is connected to a marina’s or dock’s shore power and the boat or marina is not properly wired to meet current ABYC and NFPA standards, the water surrounding the boat will become electrified.
